Former Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Emile Short has admonished public officials to steer clear of situations that may compromise their position and create a conflict of interest situation. Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Mr Short said a conflict of interest “occurs when an individual is placed in a situation where he or she has to take a decision involving conflicting interests”. He added that these conflicting interests involve the individual’s personal interest and the interest of the position he or she holds in office. Mr Short said in that instance, a decision taken by that individual which is perceived to be promoting his or her personal interest can be said to be conflict of interest. Even though he declined to comment on the NDC General Secretary’s instance where he is being accused of conflict of interest for selling cement blocks to the company involved in the construction of the Bui Dam, he admonished that it would be in the primary interest of the individual to avoid a situation whereby he or she may be perceived as having a conflict of interest. Citing his own example, he said if an individual has shares in a company and that company bids for a project, it could pass as a conflict of interest. “If for example you are the managing director of a company, and companies have to bid for contracts and a company in which you have shares or you are a director, or belongs to a relative of yours bids for a contract, and you have an opportunity to influence the decision of the state, there is a conflict of interest situation and you should avoid being in that kind of situation,” he admonished. The definition of conflict of interest has been called into question after NDC General Secretary, Asiedu Nketia, admitted that his company had been contacted to supply cement blocks for the construction of the Bui Dam. However, the NDC stalwart vehemently denies this is conflict of interest. Story by Fidel Amoah/Myjoyonline.com